Action Packed
Dear Correspondents:
So many E-mails, so little bandwidth. I'll take up electrons in the next
issue.
Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com
###############
Are politicians just addicted to new programs or what? Why don't they just
honor the old neighborhood programs like the Neighborhood Planning Councils or the
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions? They did well in their day until the government started
to ignore them and/or cut their meager funding. Certainly, I'm cynical for living here too
long yet it sounds like just another palliative.
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Mayor Williams' Neighborhood Action is a real change in the modus operandi
of the Mayor who, up to this point, has listened only to his own counsel and his
“Inner Circle” (an aggregate of naiveté). Let's give the Mayor a chance to
listen to the little people and to respond to those things that will improve the quality
of life for D.C. residents. It would be nice someday to have the Mayor wander though the
neighborhoods of the city and ask “How'm I doing?”
###############
Elapsed time of today's DC car inspection at SW station: 20 minutes from
arrival at gate to departure with sticker! And this on Monday a.m., historically a
“busy” time. Friendly communicative service too. Not only that, but earlier in
the week I called DC government to get an answer to a specific question about inspection.
The DMV number yielded an automated system with only general info on inspection, and no
access to human assistance. DC phone book gave number for inspection station that
announced it had been disconnected. Fearing a dead end, I called 727-1000 (the new call
center number), which was answered immediately. Told her I needed to talk to a body about
inspection, she went off line and came back with number for the SW inspection station and
then transferred me to it. They picked up immediately and gave me my answer. Wow, I hope
this becomes what we expect.
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Help Save Rock Creek Park (and Home Rule)
Ann Loikow, Cleveland Park, john1@erols.com
The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), the federal planning
agency for the national capital region, will consider Bell Atlantic Mobile's application
to erect two cell towers and build two equipment structures in Rock Creek Park at their
meeting on Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999. The meeting begins at noon. The deadline for
registering to speak on agenda items (this is file number 5856) is noon, Wednesday,
November 3. Please call and get on the list and help us keep good planning alive (and
hopefully have the Commission really consider the issues and the reasonable alternative
technologies and sites). Remember, this is just the first such application for towers in
the park. The Telecommunications Act requires that that Federal agencies make their
property available on a nondiscriminatory basis. The other major cellular phone companies
have already told the Park Service they have an interest in putting facilities in Rock
Creek Park. Like the “road termites” who are tearing up (again and again and
again) our streets to lay telecommunications cables, the cellular phone companies want to
forest our public lands with cell towers.
###############
Rock Creek Park Cell Phone Free?
Gabe Goldberg, gabe@acm.org
Connie Ridgway said, “...if you want to use cell phones, you have
plenty of other places to do it. And the park is small enough that it isn't a true issue
of safety; that's bogus.”
This seems to no longer be an issue of whether the towers themselves are
bad. A line in a Christine Lavin song (about relationships, not cell phones) is “If
you want space, go to Utah.” I suspect there are wide open areas in Utah which will
remain forever cell phone free. But Rock Creek is an urban park, with good/bad news that
implies. It seems a bit presumptuous to discount danger because the park is small —
how much space does it take for an auto accident or a mugging? Balance is indeed needed
between phone user convenience and people who are offended by such supposed intrusions. If
that balance is provided by towers camouflaged as trees, which I think have been offered,
the objection seems to remain to people *using* phones in the park. Which, unless the park
is mandated to be as quiet and
conversation free as libraries used to be, also seems presumptuous.
###############
On a recent trip to CVS, I tried to buy one of an item that had an
advertised sale, “two for $4.99.” I had thought there was a law enacted decades
ago mandating stores to allow us shoppers to buy one for the twofer price divided by two,
rounded up to the nearest penny. Or is this memory a Bob Dole-like rosy rumination about
the past? (The incredulous CVS manager, when I cited the law, said, “What law?”
Since I couldn't recite the statute code number, she had me.)
###############
I'd like to challenge Mr. Barron's 10/31 comment about those of us who
extol the virtues of living in our city not having kids in the city school system. I do.
My daughter has been a public school student for 4 years- since pre-K. She enjoys it. She
is learning — both academically and socially. She is a part of a community, as are
her parents. Being a part of that community is in fact one of the virtues that are worth
extolling about living in D.C. Problems in the public school system? Sure. As a community
we can work on fixing them. Are there no problems in the private or charter school
sectors? I doubt it. But I am sure those communities can fix their problems as well. We've
all made our choices — and more power to us all!
###############
Wrong, Ed, there are folks who like living in DC and who have kids in
(shudders!) the public schools. Our two angels, both now at Deal, have been in the public
school system since pre-k, except for one year when our daughter attended a parochial
school (Annunciation on Massachusetts Avenue). That year, in fact, turned out to be the
least challenging one she has had. It was easily surpassed in overall quality by our
east-of-the-park neighborhood school — where the level of parental involvement was
also greater — and by the academic rigors of Deal. One interesting aspect of her year
at Annunciation: when my wife inquired about standardized test score results, she was told
that the school doesn't release them. In other words, while there may be an aura of higher
academic standards at private and parochial schools, it's not always that easy to verify
it.
###############
Moving Around Public Spaces
Gabe Goldberg, gabe@acm.org
Rebecca Charry asked, “Why do people get on the Metro and stand 6
inches inside the door, effectively blocking anyone else who wants to get in or out, even
when there is plenty of room inside the car? Why do people leave their cars double parked
and stranded on U Street during rush hour while they dash into a store? Do they not
realize they are blocking half the street and causing a traffic jam, or do they just not
care?”
Ah, you've hit a hot button. Why do people stop walking when they're
squarely in a room's doorway? Why do people at meetings/presentations feel free to talk
loud and long? Why do people linger and chat at buffet or coffee station, making it nearly
impossible for anyone else to reach the goodies? And, of course, why are people driving so
badly/cluelessly/aggressively? I suspect they just don't realize the effects of what
they're doing. So I try to inform them by shushing them, loudly asking them to
“Excuse me” while I move around them, etc. I haven't worked out how to help the
clueless drivers, though.
###############
Incivility, Thoughtlessness and Remedies Thereunto
T. Jr. Hardman, thardman@earthops.org
Rebecca Charry hits a nail right on the head with her comments about
incivility in Washington. It's widespread. I've seen well heeled lawyers not only fail to
hold the door for little old ladies, but nearly knock them down — and apparently they
didn't notice what they'd done, they were so busy glad-handing each other. They were,
unfortunately, merely the iceberg's tip. I suspect that much of this redounds to people
thinking that by pretending to total blitheness, they can avoid any critique. But it's not
true. People who do know how to comport themselves will judge someone more harshly for a
severe breach of decency far more quickly than we'd judge someone for dressing poorly or
using the wrong fork at dinner. I sometimes suspect that DC people often are playing to
imaginary cameras, thinking that getting photographed looking good is more important than
acting properly.
It might also be a symptom of self-importance. This region is in fact
known for an overblown self-concept, and it appears that there are very few who are
willing to give much consideration to others. Whenever possible, I try to lead by example,
but I suspect that too many people hereabouts are just too self-important to notice when
others are trying to give a demonstration of courtesy and thoughtfulness — or perhaps
those concepts are simply too alien (or too human) to be noticed — in any case, good
behavior simply doesn't stand out and get noticed as much as does trouble making. I can
only suggest that we who can care ought to continue to do “the right thing” and
do so to the degree that those who are incapable of it begin to stand out as the
exceptions, rather than as the rule.
###############
The ANCs and Other Neighborhood Associations
Peter Luger, lugerpj@gunet.georgetown.edu
Can someone explain to me the reason that residents of commercial blocks
fight against liquor licenses and outdoor patio spaces for restaurants? In particular, I'm
talking about 17th Street in Dupont Circle. Two prime examples that I just don't get: the
inability of JRs to get permission to use their patio just like the other 7 or so
restaurants on the block. The argument used to be that JRs does not serve food. Well, it's
been serving food for over a year now. And, they now wish to expand into the vacant
property next door, which would allow them to serve a larger menu for a longer period of
time. I'm sure they will be fought on this and the building next door will remain vacant
for a long time. The other glaring example is the property just across the street from
JRs. It has been changing ownership for about two years now because nothing can survive in
the space without a liquor license. There is a moratorium on liquor licenses for no
sensible reason.
I know what the arguments are: not enough parking already; too much noise;
too much drinking. None of this makes sense though. There is a fairly fixed number of
people who venture to 17th Street on a given night. This is proven by the fact that even
when there were four bars functioning (Chaos — or more appropriately when it was
Trumpets —, Windows, JRs and Cobalt — before the fire), no more than two of
those bars was ever very crowded at the same time. Adding another patio that would close
at midnight just like the others and another restaurant with a liquor license would merely
spread out the crowd rather than increase it. I doubt seriously hundreds of more people
would venture into the neighborhood. Parking is already next to impossible, but so many
patrons are in walking distance anyway, it couldn't really get that much worse. I would
gladly have someone explain to me why it is better to have abandoned storefronts on a
thriving block than encourage new business that is desired by many residents and visitors.
###############
Tax Revision Commission Report On-Line
Bob Ebel, rebel@worldbank.org
The Final Report of the District of Columbia Tax Revision Commission, Taxing
Fairly, Taxing Simply (Executive Summary plus 17 research papers by the state/local
tax experts in the US, 585 pages including appendices) is now available in on the National
Tax Association's web site at http://www.ntanet.org.
themail subscribers may also obtain a copy in book form by writing to the (of course
enclose an address):
National Tax Association
ATTN: Bob Ebel
725 15th Street, NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC. 20005
The District of Columbia Tax Revision Commission was established in 1996
by the District Council and the Mayor , and charged with the carrying out of a
comprehensive review of the Districts revenue structure and to make a series of
recommendations for change that would lead the Distinct into he twenty-first century. The
enabling legislation was authored by Council Chair David Clarke. The Commission completed
a two year study in September 1998.
[The Commission's papers are also available on DCWatch at http://www.dcwatch.com/taxrev. — Gary
Imhoff]
###############
Ralph Wrote About Scaring Deer Away with Human Hair
D. S. Nachman, dornac@juno.com
Getting hair from a barber shop is not as strange as he thinks. It is an
excellent fertilizer for large potted plants — worked into the soil and covered with
soil so it doesn't show. I can't remember where it was, but there was one beauty shop that
had the most gorgeous plants, and that's what they did with the hair they swept up.
###############
Annie’s Lives! Yay
Jean Lawrence, JKelLaw@aol.com
<<Annie's Paramount is still the best place for chow hounds after a
late night of clubs and bars on the weekends. >>
A number of posters relieved my fears! Annie's is still ensconced. I lived
around the corner from it for 13 years and, not being a cook, sort of considered it my
kitchen. We used to take our baby daughter there (bet everyone loved that, in retrospect)
and she's now 17 and 5'9"! She still rhapsodizes about the fried clams she scarfed as
a four-year-old. But, you're right, enough nostalgia. Even nostalgia, as someone said, is
not what it used to be!
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS
“America's Musical Gifts” is the theme of the seventh annual
benefit recital for Loaves and Fishes, featuring the Washington Saxophone Quartet.
Saturday, November 20 at 3:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church (16th and Varnum Streets, NW,
Washington DC). Admission $15.00, includes reception. All proceeds benefit Loaves and
Fishes, a ministry that provides hot meals to feed the homeless on weekends and holidays.
Contact Parke Wilde at 202-462-6928 for more information, or E-mail him for a complete
information packet. It will be great fun, fabulous classical and American music, and all
for a good cause!
###############
Join The DC Film Society for a Sneak Peek at
Hollywood's Holiday Gifts to Moviegoers
Ky N. Nguyen, ky.n.nguyen@bigfoot.com
More info at http://www.dcfilmsociety.org
or hotline at (202) 554-3263. There's a chill in the air and the leaves are turning gold.
It's time for football, the World Series and the DC Film Society's “Coming
Attractions” of Hollywood's holiday movie offerings. DC Film Society Special Events
Committee Chairs Mary Lee and Cate Nielan have planned another great, fun-filled event. On
Monday, November 15, 7:30 p.m., at the Cineplex Odeon Wisconsin Avenue Theater (4000
Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.), local film critic Bill Henry will be on hand to lead a discussion
session on preview trailers for upcoming releases as you give them a thumbs up or thumbs
down.
In May 1999, if you attended the DC Film Society's Summer Blockbuster
program you were way ahead of the crowd in getting a look at 17 films, including “The
General's Daughter,” “Big Daddy,” “An Ideal Husband,” and the
controversial “South Park.” In addition to the movie previews, “Coming
Attractions — Fall '99” will offer plenty of cool movie studio giveaways and a
chance for you to offer your opinion as Bill Henry discusses the unique art of film
marketing.
It's is a one-of-a-kind, one-time-only event — $3.00 for DC Film
Society members, while only $5.00 for non-member guests. So, come and bring a friend. It's
your chance to talk back to the critic as Hollywood rolls out the last of this year's
Oscar contenders. For updated information, don't forget to check out our web site at http://www.dcfilmsociety.org or the hotline at
(202) 554-3263. See you at the movies!
###############
Councilmember Sharon Ambrose’s Fall Ward 6
Town Meeting and Information Fair
Charles Burger, CABurger@email.msn.com
On Thursday, November 18, 1999 Councilmember Sharon Ambrose will hold her
Fall Ward 6 Town Meeting for Ward 6 at Hine Junior High School at 7th and Pennsylvania
Avenue, S.E., from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event will feature over 60 information
tables representing District Government Agencies, community volunteer organizations,
neighborhood associations, public utility companies, public safety groups, Ward 6 related
development corporations and other community related organizations. A formal program
beginning at 7:00 p.m. will present The Ward 6 Stars community awards, a special report on
economic development in Ward 6 and a special presentation on Y2K and the District by Peter
LaPorte, Acting Director, D.C. Emergency Management Agency. Ward residents are encouraged
to directly meet the people and government officials that are shaping and impacting your
neighborhood.
If you have any questions about the event, would like to volunteer to help
or have an organization that would like to participate please contact Chuck Burger at
202.543.7336 or at caburger@msn.com.
###############
Footlights — DC's only drama discussion group — meets monthly to
discuss plays from the modern theater. Membership is free. At our meeting Wednesday,
November 17, we will discuss “Communicating Doors,” a blend of sex farce, crime
thriller, and science fiction by Alan Ayckbourn, “England's most prolific playwright
since Shakespeare” (Wall Street Journal). “[C]lever,”
“touching,” and “genuinely sweet” (Chicago Tribune),
“Communicating Doors” follows a leather-clad 21st-century prostitute from her
time to ours and back again. Our discussion takes place 7:30-9:30 p.m. (dinner at 6:30) at
Delray Vietnamese Garden, 4918 Del Ray Ave., a few blocks N of Bethesda metro. It will
feature director Nick Olcott, whose production of “Communicating Doors” began
previews November 3 at Silver Spring's Round House Theatre. To make reservations for our
discussion E-mail painews@bellatlantic.net
or call (202) 638-0444. For discount tickets to the Sunday, November 21 matinee
performance of “Communicating Doors” (including post-show discussion) E-mail larkinr@erols.com or call (301) 897-9314. For more
information visit the Footlights website at www.footlightsdc.org.
###############
The Millennium Election
Amanda Chorowski, amanda@dcjcc.org
Join The National Institute for Jewish Leadership for our stimulating
series on Jewish Leadership Issues and Election 2000! THE MEDIA: Jewish Ethics, Jewish
Issues & Jewish Influence, a special forum with top media experts Mona Charen,
nationally syndicated columnist; Norman Ornstein, resident scholar at the American
Enterprise Institute, election analyst for CBS News, and Roll Call columnist' and Rabbi
Yitzchok Breitowitz, Woodside Synagogue & Professor of Law University of Maryland.
Wednesday, November 17 at 7:00 pm, Kay Community Hall, DCJCC, 1529 16th Street, NW,
Couvert $10. To RSVP call Amanda (202) 518-9400, x271 or amanda@dcjcc.org.
What are the ethical issues of campaign press coverage as viewed through a
Jewish lens? How will the media shape issues of greatest concern to the Jewish community?
And save the date for Campaign Finance Reform: A Jewish Issue? on January 24, 2000.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — FOR SALE
I know a very generous friend who is having a moving sale at 4712 Piney
Branch Rd., (that's around 16th and Decatur) on Saturday, 6 Nov., from 9 am - 2 pm.
Mahogany futons, table lamps, chest of drawers, wicker chairs, desks, a 9x12 wine carpet,
patio set and more could be got at very reasonable prices, I'm sure.
###############
Black leather jacket, Size 40, Mint condition, $125, (202) 244-8598
###############
Bali Bliss Imports Open House Party and Sale
Patty Friedman, balibliss@hotmail.com
Balinese food, music, cocktails and free massage by traditional Indonesian
masseuse, 1516 U Street, NW, lower level (b/w 15th & 16th Streets). Friday, November
12, 4 pm - 10 pm; Saturday, November 13, 11 am - 7 pm; Sunday, November 14, 11 am - 6 pm.
New shipment just arrived! Start your holiday shopping now. Unique one-of-a-kind, all
handcrafted elegant and ethnic gifts, masks, wall panels, paintings, wood carvings,
puppets, dolls, art, lamps, jewelry, batiks, sarongs, and more, at great prices. Cash and
checks accepted.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — HELP WANTED
Silver Spring trial law firm seeks legal assistant with prior legal or
claims experience. Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English is a big plus. The position is
available immediately. Please fax your resume to Jon Katz, (301) 495-8815. For more
information about our firm, see http://www.markskatz.com.
###############
CLASSIFIED — HOUSING
I am a Vietnamese Fulbright scholar studying public administration at
Maxwell, Syracuse University. I am going to take a course in Washington D.C. from January
02 to January 16 at Greenbreg House, near the Woodley Park/Zoo stop of the Red line Metro.
I am looking for an inexpensive accommodation during my stay there.
###############
2- bdrm Co-op for sale in Cleveland Park. GREAT location, off-street
parking, close to everything, hardwood floors, quiet, great neighbors, sunny exposure,
backyard. $115,000.
###############
Office for Rent in Georgetown
Joel Marks, jmarks@asbanet.org
750 square foot office with windows overlooking the Potomac River. Has
hardwood floors, private bathroom, outside patio and access to kitchen and shower.
Available immediately. Call 202-421-8989.
###############
Parking Space for Rent in Dupont Circle
R.A. Bird Anderson, birdanderson@hotmail.com
Parking space for rent, available January 1 at $150/month. Location, 17th
and Corcoran. Please contact birdanderson@hotmail.com
###############
Capitol Hill Apartment — 6th and G, NE
Mary Vogel, maryvogel@yahoo.com
My landlord just informed me that my downstairs neighbors moved out last
week and I am welcome to find someone compatible to live there. Rent is in the $600-$625
range, I believe. To be compatible that person(s) needs to be willing to help out once in
awhile on maintaining the lovely and highly visible native plant landscape I am creating.
I want someone who is into composting — I have a great urban composter that likes to
be fed fruit and vegetable clippings as well as leaves and other dried material on a
regular basis.
I'm also looking for someone who is into re-using and recycling. I'm
looking for non-smokers into creating community — folks who will help keep the block
clean and safe, create friendly relations with the neighbors, perhaps even involve
themselves in the local neighborhood association or ANC. The apartment is a true English
basement — with all of its windows largely above ground. It is well-shaded in the
summer by several mature deciduous trees and has plenty of light in the winter since it is
right across from a grassy elementary school play yard. Please forward this message to
your network. The person who finds housing in this tight market will be ever so grateful
to you.
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CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS
Firewood
Valerie Kenyon Gaffney, vkg0531@aol.com
I, as well as a number of other residents of my building, have had good
luck with these folks: Jimmy Hamm, phone: 540-825-5120. Well seasoned, reasonably priced,
and did a really good job of hauling it through my apartment (no mess!) and stacking it
very, very neatly on my balcony.
###############
Firewood Recommendation
Gabe Goldberg, gabe@acm.org
Stuart Weiser asked: “Can anyone recommend a good source for firewood
in small (i.e., half cord) quantities? I'm afraid if I buy from just any pickup truck
source, it won't be properly seasoned (it's happened before).” I bought firewood two
years ago from Larry Binns (703) 534-9744. I forget what I paid, but he agreed to drop the
price a bit when I offered to buy the whole load in his (small) pickup truck. He'd
originally offered part of it, which might have been a half-cord. He backed his truck
around the house, stacked the wood just where I wanted it, was friendly and courteous. Ask
him if he has an email address now.
###############
Restaurant Recommendation Wanted
Ralph Blessing, rblessin@usia.gov
Looking for a quality restaurant in Frederick, MD for a special occasion.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
###############
The Greater Washington Metro WebSpace Search Engine continues to serve, at
http://earthops.org/Harvest/brokers/Washington_Metro/
— there are 7235 pages and files indexed in the database from 53 Internet servers,
including Metro, the MPD, DC Watch, and most of the Neighborhood Association web sites.
Please use it! It may not be real pretty, but it does in fact work just fine. It's 24/7
and is advertising free. Bookmark it for easy reference, and link to it from your web
pages about Washington.
###############
CLASSIFIEDS — CITY PAPER PREVIEW
Dave Nuttycombe, webmeister@washcp.com
From washingtoncitypaper.com's LOOSE LIPS column, appearing this Friday:
CORPORATE WELFARE: It's hard to argue that the Lockheed Martin Corp. deserves fatter
contracts from the District government. After all, the aerospace conglomerate's
Information Management Systems (IMS) subsidiary pulls in about $60 million from parking
and traffic enforcement contracts, up to $33 million in welfare-to-work assistance, and
another $4.5 million for automating city food stamp services.
But the administration of Mayor Anthony A. Williams apparently thinks that $97.5 million
isn't enough for the $26 billion defense titan. For five years, Lockheed Martin had a $23
million contract to process and collect D.C. parking tickets. When that contract expired
in May, the administration approved a temporary extension that would shove more tax
dollars to Lockheed Martin IMS. And the administration inked the pay raise — which
comes in exchange for certain program enhancements — without notifying the D.C.
Council.
Read the entire Loose Lips column here: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/lips/lips.html
From washingtoncitypaper.com's CITY LIGHTS page, here are a few early
warnings for upcoming events:
MONDAY: “The Making of Fresh Air,” with Terry Gross, at 7:30 p.m. at the
Birchmere. 3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. $25.
WEDNESDAY: Dr. Johan Reinhard discusses the Inca mummies he recently discovered at 5 p.m.
at National Geographic Society, Grosvenor Auditorium, 1145 17th St. NW. $13.
More details and more critics' picks are available online at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/pix/pix.html
###############
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